Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Brandywine

Comparable Facts

Compare Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA with Penn State Brandywine in Media, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Muhlenberg College is larger than Penn State Brandywine based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,236 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting); Penn State Brandywine is in Media, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Muhlenberg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Brandywine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Muhlenberg College 9:1; Penn State Brandywine 15:1.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Brandywine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Brandywine? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Penn State Brandywine than Muhlenberg College ($22,710 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Brandywine are 0.5% lower than at Muhlenberg College ($14,474 vs. $14,548).
• Muhlenberg College is 313% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Brandywine (about $47,597 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.3% higher at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Brandywine (about $37,413 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Muhlenberg College than at Penn State Brandywine (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 366.9% larger than aid received by Penn State Brandywine students ($42,545 vs. $9,113).

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Brandywine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Muhlenberg College or Penn State Brandywine? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Brandywine and Muhlenberg College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Muhlenberg College (1330) is 130 points higher than at Penn State Brandywine (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 1250/1410; Penn State Brandywine 1080/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Muhlenberg College - Test optional; Penn State Brandywine - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Penn State Brandywine has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Muhlenberg College (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13% at Muhlenberg College vs. 16.8% at Penn State Brandywine.

Muhlenberg College vs. Penn State Brandywine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Muhlenberg College and Penn State Brandywine? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Penn State Brandywine's (37%).
• Graduates from Muhlenberg College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Penn State Brandywine graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,700 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have a $328 lower median loan debt than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($26,490 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Muhlenberg College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Brandywine graduates ($273 vs. $277).
• More Muhlenberg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State Brandywine students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.